Fentanyl test strips are considered drug paraphernalia in many states. (FNC)
California's health department follows what's known as a "harm reduction" model, which focuses on reducing the consequences of drug use through offering clean syringes, naloxone and other materials to "meet people where they're at" and make drug use "safer."
"Harm reduction programs help people who use drugs protect themselves from injury and infections and provide essential safety net services," California's health department website states.
The state's health and human resources secretary, Mark Ghaly, said that harm-reduction programs "are a huge part of how we better protect people, how we get them into treatment."
"This work is time tested. Shame isn’t a solution; support and science-driven policy is," he said.
Schools, universities, law enforcement, harm-reduction organizations, county public health services, community centers, local city agencies, homeless organizations, rehab facilities and hospitals are all eligible to obtain the free test strips.
"California is committed to combatting the opioid and fentanyl crisis," DHCS Director Michelle Baass said in a statement on Thursday. "Fentanyl test strips are a powerful tool for effective opioid-related overdose prevention. We urge our community partners to apply for this additional tool to help us tackle this crisis."
NARCAN VENDING MACHINES ARE THE LATEST WEAPON AGAINST OPIOID OVERDOSES
Packs of Narcan sit in a cardboard box. (FOX News)
According to the state's latest data, there were 6,473 fentanyl-related deaths in 2022 and more than 21,300 emergency room visits for any opioid-related incidents. There were also more than 13.6 million fentanyl prescriptions filled that year.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said it has distributed more than 3.9 million kits of naloxone, resulting in more than 247,000 reported opioid overdose reversals since the state unveiled its Naloxone Distribution Project in 2018.
Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics. She leads Fox News Digital coverage of the Senate.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/california-offers-free-fentanyl-test-strips-for-safe-drug-use-under-states-harm-reduction-strategy